Definition

1. Noun:
   • Earthly Branch: In traditional East Asian cosmology and calendrical systems, one of the twelve cyclic signs used to denote years, months, days, and hours. They form a duodecimal cycle, often paired with the Ten Heavenly Stems (thiên can).

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Năm nay được tính theo địa chi là năm Tỵ. (This year, calculated by the Earthly Branch, is the Year of the Snake.)
  • Hệ thống can chi, kết hợp thiên can và địa chi, tạo thành một chu kỳ 60 năm. (The can chi system, combining the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches, forms a 60-year cycle.)

Advanced Usage

• The twelve địa chi are specifically: Tý (Rat), Sửu (Ox), Dần (Tiger), Mão (Cat/Rabbit), Thìn (Dragon), Tỵ (Snake), Ngọ (Horse), Mùi (Goat), Thân (Monkey), Dậu (Rooster), Tuất (Dog), Hợi (Pig). They are used extensively in astrology, fortune-telling, and the traditional lunisolar calendar.

Variants and Related Words

• Thiên can (n): Heavenly Stem. The ten celestial signs used alongside the Earthly Branches.
• Can chi (n): The combined Stems and Branches system.
• Chi (n): A common abbreviated form for địa chi.

Synonyms

• Earthly Branch: The standard English translation.
• Terrestrial Branch: A less common synonym.

Related Concepts

• Chinese Zodiac: The animal signs assigned to the twelve Earthly Branches are commonly known in the West as the Chinese Zodiac.
• Lunisolar Calendar: The traditional calendar system that utilizes the địa chi for timekeeping.

1. Earthly Branch